Interesting times at Lake Waituna
It's peaceful, only a few fishermen about. There's not been a white double-cab Toyota in sight for at least a fortnight despite lake levels dropping daily and the increasing risk of Lake Waituna flipping to "an algal dominated state."

Opinions abound on Lake Waituna...
Well it seems everyone has a view on Lake Waituna, even those that have never set foot in the catchment, never fished, hunted ducks or farmed in the area.

Wires crossed at Waituna
It would seem the authorities controlling the lagoon have got their wires crossed. The lagoon is going to flip, seagrass is dying and algae growth and sediment are taking over...

Waituna Lagoon
- the farmers' perspective -
Most of the publicity about Waituna Lagoon has been about the health of the wetland complex, and how it is likely to flip at any time. Farmers in the catchment have borne the brunt of the blame for the lagoon's high nutrient status, but now with extra regulations likely to be forced upon them, the farmers have had enough and they are speaking out.

Wool prices still on the rise in NZ

New Zealand Wool Services International Ltd reported that demand at this week's wool sale was strong, driving prices up by between three and nine per cent... although a slightly weaker New Zealand dollar accounted for some of the rise, a diminishing supply coming under continued heavy demand was the main market driver.

Dairy footprint smaller
now than in the 1940s

With all the talk of carbon footprints these days it is interesting to note recent research from Cornell University has found that today's dairy farmers actually have a smaller "footprint" than their predecessors.